Source: Compiled by Homecoming II Project 01 April 1990 from one or more
of the following: raw data from U.S. Government agency sources, correspondence
with POW/MIA families, published sources, interviews. Updated by the P.O.W.
NETWORK 1998.

REMARKS: SURVIVAL UNLIKELY

SYNOPSIS:

Lieutenant (jg) Robert R. Duncan was a pilot
and Lieutenant (jg) Alan F. Ashall abombardier/navigator assigned to Attack Squadron
85 onboard the aircraft carrier USS AMERICA (CVA 60). On August 29, 1968
he launched from the aircraft carrier in their A6B Intruder on an armed
reconnaissance mission in theVinh Son area of North Vietnam.

Duncan and Ashall launched at 1:00 a.m. and
proceeded to their assigned station. Three surface-to-air missiles (SAM)
were observed in the area. A transmission was received from the aircraft
reporting that they were experiencing radion trouble, and then a transmission
that sounded like, "SAMs in the air" followed by "We shot a missile" or
"I got a missile". No distress signals were received and efforts to contact
them were unsuccessful.

Search and rescue efforts were initiated immediately,
but the results were negative. There was a large fireball observed on the
ground in the vicinity where the aircraft disappeared. It was suspected
that the aircraft took a direct or disabling hit by one of the three SAMs
or collided with the terrain while attempting to avoid the enemy fire.

Duncan and Ashall were classified Missing in
Action. The Defense Intelligence Agency further expanded their classification
to include an enemy knowledge ranking of 2. Category 2 indicates "suspect
knowledge" and includes personnel who may have been involved in loss incidents
with individuals reported in Category 1 (confirmed knowledge), or who were
lost in areas or under conditions that they may reasonably be expected
to be known by the enemy; who were connected with an incident which was
discussed but not identified by names in enemy news media; or identified
(by elimination, but not 100% positively) through analysis of all-source
intelligence.

The Commander of the Seventh Fleet, Vice Admiral
William F. Bringle, acknowledged that the missions required of the
A6 pilots over North Vietnamwere among "the most demanding missions we
have ever asked our aircrews to fly." However, he added, "there is an abundance
of talent, courage and aggressive leadership" in the A6 squadrons.

Now, nearly 20 years later, men like Duncan
and Ashall are all but forgotten except by friends, family and fellow veterans.
The U.S. "priority" placed on determining their fates pales in comparison
to the results it has achieved.

Since Duncan and Ashall went down, nearly 10,000
reports have been received by the U.S. relating to Americans who are still
prisoner, missing or unaccounted for in Southeast Asia. Many officials
who have seen this largely classified information are now convinced that
hundreds of Americans are still alive in captivity. Whether Duncan and
Ashall are among them is not known.
Posted:
15 July 2002 - Updated: 23 November 2003